Arlington County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jose Quiroz brings up the gifts at Mass with his children and his cousin. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

For more than 30 years, men and women
in military uniform — parents of St. Louis School students in Alexandria — have
participated in an annual Veterans Day Mass at St. Louis Church.

This year, Nov. 10, both active and former military were
honored at the Mass and a reception, hosted by the student council.

A color guard, carrying flags of all the branches of the
military, began the Mass, which was celebrated by Father Keith M. O’Hare,
pastor. Active and retired service members participated as readers and gift
bearers, in addition to the processional flag bearers. The school choir sang
some patriotic songs for Mass.

“About 25 percent of our school population is active
military, and another large portion is retired military, making our veteran
population quite large,” said Kathleen McNutt, principal. “All of the military
branches are covered.”

All year, a board hangs in the school’s center hallway to
celebrate family members who are veterans or active military. “We had to double
the size of our board with so many families sending in photographs,” said
McNutt.

The Mass was a unique experience for the father of one
kindergartener. “I’m very appreciative that they took the time to do this
today,” said Jason Saglimbene, a class desk officer and assistant program
manager for system engineering in the U.S. Navy. “I’ve been stationed all over
the place and to have a school and a parish do this I think it is great.”